Forecasters Predict 'Well Above Average' Hurricane Activity for 2008 Season

Fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy hurricane season.

That's the latest word from a team of Colorado State University forecasters, who predict the nation's Atlantic coast will experience a hurricane season "well above average."

"Current oceanic and atmospheric trends indicate that we will likely have an active Atlantic basin hurricane season," said William Gray, who heads the university's forecast team.
Click here to view photos of past hurricanes.

The forecasters predict at least 15 named storms will form in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30.
Eight of the storms are predicted to become hurricanes, and of those eight, four are expected to develop into intense or major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.

"Based on our latest forecast, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69 percent compared with the last-century average of 52 percent," said Phil Klotzbach, a member of the forecast team. "We are calling for a very active hurricane season this year, but not as active as the 2004 and 2005 seasons."

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Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1st, East Pacific May 15th. Be Prepared.

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Hurricane Preparedness Week during 2008 will be held May 25th through May 31st.

The goal of this Hurricane Preparedness Web site is to inform the public about the hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for your family to have a plan that includes all of these hazards. Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of hurricane hazard and prepare your family disaster plan accordingly. But remember this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

Read more HERE

For the latest Hurricane updates and forecast please see the N.O.A.A.'s new website. Just click on the image below.

Hurricanes Dean, Felix, and Noel are "Retired"....see full story.
Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1st, East Pacific May 15th. Be Prepared

NOAA/ National Weather ServiceNational Centers for Environmental PredictionNational Hurricane CenterTropical Prediction Center11691 SW 17th StreetMiami, Florida 33165-2149 USAmailto:nhcwebmaster@noaa.gov?subject=[NHC

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next severe weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com

Want A Quick No Hassle Quote On Storm Shutters?

With Hurricane Season Starting In Less Than 30 Days, plan ahead now!!

After reviewing our product information, Folding Shutter Brochures

Please fill out our quote form completely indicating the style of shutter that you have interest in, and your complete contact information and one of our representatives will be in touch with you shortly, to determine how we can best serve you.
Thank you for choosing Folding Shutter Corporation, we look forward to serving your storm shutter needs.
For further Information on Ordering Folding Shutter Corporation line of products email us at info@foldingshutters.com or call us toll free 1-800-643-6371.


For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next severe weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com

Folding Shutters Can Be Found World Wide

ATTENTION - Dealer Packages Available!

Dealers wanting to carry the Folding Shutter Corporation line of products email us at info@foldingshutters.com or call us toll free 1-800-643-6371.

Folding Shutter Corporation has authorized dealers throughout the world.

If you would like to know the name of the dealer nearest you, email us at info@foldingshutters.com. When you're looking for the highest quality shutters at affordable prices, remember to ask for us by name!
Thank you for choosing Folding Shutter Corporation, we look forward to serving your storm shutter needs.

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next severe weather threat please visit our website FoldingShutters.com

Hurricane Shutters FAQ From The N.O.A.A.

Welcome to the hurricane shutter webpages, co-sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's OAR and Hurricane Research Division. They are designed to answer some basic questions about hurricane shutters and offer instructions on making plywood versions. This page is organized in a Question & Answer format.

Should I tape my windows when a hurricane threatens?
No, it is a waste of effort, time, and tape. It offers little strength to the glass and NO protection against flying debris. After the storm passes you will spend many a hot summer afternoon trying to scrape the old, baked-on tape off your windows (assuming they weren't shattered). Once a Hurricane Warning has been issued you would be better off spending your time putting up shutters over doors and windows.

Why should I get hurricane shutters ?
People who live in coastal counties from Texas to Maine, and those in other hurricane prone areas, such as most of the Florida peninsula, will find shutters an excellent investment for protecting their lives and property. They protect against wind and wind-borne debris. These shutters protect not only the windows or doors they cover, but also possessions and people inside the building. Once a window or door has been breeched by hurricane winds tremendous pressure is brought to bear on interior walls and upward pressure on the building's roof. This can lead to roof failure which exposes the entire contents of the building to the storm. Shutters are a first line of defense against the hurricane. Much of the damage and building failure in Hurricane Andrew could have been prevented by well installed hurricane shutters over windows and doors.

What are the best kind of shutters ?
The best kind are those that are affordable, are easy to install, and offer the greatest protection. Which of these properties is most important to you depends on individual circumstances. For a disabled or elderly person it may be ease of installation with either an automatic closing mechanism or accordion type shutters. For those with limited incomes plywood shutters may be the only affordable option. For most people the best compromise would be steel panels, which offer good protection, but are expensive and take effort to install. Aluminum panels are lighter and easier to install, but offer less protection and may not meet the building code for your area.Which ever type you decide on it is important to remember that shutters are only as good as the quality of their installation. Ensure that the shutters or their anchors are installed by qualified workmen and that quality materials that meet the building code for your area are used.

How do I choose an installation company I can trust ?
The same way you go about choosing any company that performs a service. Make sure they are licensed, get references, and then check the references. Ask your neighbors and friends about who installed their shutters and if they had any complaints or recommendations. Check out a company with the Better Buisness Bureau, your local licensing authority, or contractor accociation.

To read the full F.A.Q. page and more click (HERE)

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next severe weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com

Prepare and Stay Aware!

Florida Disaster .org Has a wealth of information for the home or business owner the in the (strike zone) for the 2008 hurricane season.

Please do not under estimate the power of these storms.

Prepare and Stay Aware!

Florida Hazards Watch - Hurricanes

When is Hurricane Season? June 1 - November 30
New! Hurricane Season 2007 - Animation of How the Storms Destroy
What Is A Hurricane? A hurricane is a tropical cyclone, which generally forms in the tropics and is accompanied by thunderstorms and a counterclockwise circulation of winds. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:
TROPICAL DEPRESSION An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds* of 38 mph or less
TROPICAL STORM An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph
HURRICANE An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher
What Are The Hurricane Hazards?

What Actions Should You Take To Be Prepared?
Have a family disaster plan and disaster supply kit.
Build or identify a Safe-Room in your Home
Purchase and use a NOAA Weather Radio in your home with a tone alert feature. This will allow you to receive warnings issued by your local National Weather Service office.
Inquire if your Community is StormReady.

You can read more (HERE)

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next sever weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com

My Safe Florida Home Home Owner Resources

Matching Grant Aplication

AM I ELIGIBLE?

If your home was inspected after May 1:The 2007 Legislature changed the eligibility requirements for grants under the My Safe Florida Home program. You are eligible for a matching grant up to $5,000 if you live in a single-family detached, site-built home that meets the following criteria:

• has a building permit application for initial construction made before March 1, 2002;

• has an insured value of $300,000 or less;

• has a valid homestead exemption;

• is located in the wind-borne debris region;

• has undergone a hurricane mitigation inspection.The 2007 Legislature also changed how grant funds could be used under the My Safe Florida Home program. Grant funds must be used for:• Protecting openings (windows, gable vents and skylights)

• Protecting exterior doors• Replacing your garage door with an impact-resistant garage door• Bracing gable ends in your roof

NOTE: You do not have to do all of the above improvements recommended in your inspection report to qualify for a grant. However, if you choose to protect your windows you must protect all windows without hurricane-rated protection to get reimbursed. If you choose to protect your exterior doors, you must protect all doors, including sliding glass doors, to get reimbursed. Windows:

If you are eligible for a grant and you choose to protect your windows, you must protect all windows and gable vents identified by your wind inspection report as needing hurricane protection.

Exterior Doors:

If you are eligible for a grant and you choose to protect your doors, you must protect all exterior doors, including sliding glass doors, identified by your wind inspection report as needing hurricane protection.

Garage Door:

If you choose to protect your garage door and it is a recommended improvement in your inspection report, you will be eligible for grant funds to make this improvement. You must replace your garage door with an impact-rated garage door or you can add additional bracing to an already hurricane-rated garage door.

Skylights:

If you choose to replace your skylights with an impact-rated skylight and it is a recommended improvement in your inspection report, you will be eligible for grant funds to make this improvement.

Gable Ends:

If you choose to brace your gable ends and it is a recommended improvement in your inspection report, you will be eligible for grant funds to make this improvement. If bracing of gable ends is not identified by the Department’s wind inspection, but is identified as necessary by a participating contractor, the Department will disburse funds for bracing gable ends with physical proof, such as photographs or video, a copy of the building permit when applicable to do this improvement and upon re-inspection by the Department.

If your home was inspected on or before May 1:

If you received a free wind inspection through the My Safe Florida Home program before May 1, 2007, you are eligible for a matching grant of up to $5,000 to make the following improvements:



• Protecting openings (windows, gable vents and skylights)

• Protecting exterior doors• Replacing your garage door with an impact-resistant garage door

• Bracing gable ends in your roof

NOTE: You do not have to do all of the above improvements recommended in your inspection report to qualify for a grant. However, if you choose to protect your windows you must protect all windows without hurricane-rated protection to get reimbursed. If you choose to protect your exterior doors, you must protect all doors, including sliding glass doors, to get reimbursed.



Read More Here

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next sever weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com